Aparna Sen – Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002)

Plot: Meenakshi, a young women from a very traditional Hindu family (Tamil Brahmins), travels by bus from a mountain town to catch a train from the plains. It’s a long journey, especially when one has a small baby to care for (like Meenakshi), so she is entrusted into care of Raja, worldwide known photographer. They behave as polite strangers until some religious flare-up disrupts the journey.

Burning a village by Muslim separatists induces murderous revenge from local Hindu community. A band of bloodthirsty men is scanning the area chasing after Muslims. Only then Meenakshi finds out her travel companion… is a Muslim. Tradition, religion and upbringing taught her to consider Muslims as unclean lowlife, but on the other hand human life is in stake. Therefore when the mob reaches the bus, she claims Raja is her husband – Mr Iyer.

Because of the spreading riot, the curfew is imposed and Meenakshi and Raja are forced to stick together and rely on each other. They spend few days in remote forest cabin observing the calm beauty of the nature and the bestiality of people. And getting better understanding of each other and their cultures.